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Manchester United appeared renewed and goal-hungry as they cruised to an emphatic 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup.
In what was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge, he was surely looking for a good start to life as Man United’s interim manager.
While United controlled possession early on, they were clearly struggling against a tenacious Leicester, making numerous back passes to Altay Bayindir as well as cross-field passes between flanks.
Six minutes in, Joshua Zirkzee was on the counter after picking up a long ball from Bruno Fernandes. He was ultimately unable to get a shot away after being swarmed by Leicester’s defenders.
On the stroke of 15 minutes, Casemiro broke the deadlock, striking a belter from distance into the far corner that the goalkeeper had no chance of getting to. What a magnificent way to start Van Nistelrooy’s managerial tenure.
Straight after the restart, United were on the hunt for a second goal as Marcus Rashford drilled in a cross to Alejandro Garnacho. While Garnacho attempted to play the ball to Zirkzee in the middle, the keeper rose to catch the ball.
While United earned a free-kick on the edge of the box after a foul by the visitors, Rashford’s effort hit the top of the wall.
In the 28th minute, United’s constant attacking pressure paid off as Garnacho doubled his team’s lead. Casemiro laid the ball off to Diogo Dalot, who sprinted upfield and drilled a low cross to an unmarked Garnacho, who took a skilful shot to seal United’s second goal.
Just minutes later, the underdogs responded in a remarkable manner. Bilel El Khanouss took a sublime one-touch shot from outside the box that flew past Bayindir into the net. It was a disappointing lapse in concentration from the defence.
In the 35th minute, Leicester’s goalscorer fouled Garnacho on the edge of the box, handing United a dangerous free kick.
Bruno Fernandes stepped up to take the free kick, and while the ball deflected off the wall, it soared into the back of the net, handing the United skipper his first goal of the campaign. Ironically, it was the deflection that helped him score, confusing the goalkeeper, who was caught out of position.
It was non-stop action at Old Trafford, with Zirkzee sparking a counter and passing to Garnacho, whose effort was parried out for a corner.
While United opted for a short corner, this proved to be an ideal decision. Rashford lobbed the ball to Casemiro, whose header hit the upright. The Brazilian was alert enough to pounce on the rebound, slamming it into the back of the net for his second goal of the night. 3-1 to United as the goals continued to roll in.
Four minutes before the break, Casemiro came agonisingly close to sealing his hat trick. Casemiro outpaced the defence to get on the end of a Fernandes free kick, but his header veered inches wide of the far post.
Moments later, Garnacho took a speculative effort outside the box which flew over the crossbar.
During the four added minutes of stoppage time, the visitors’ captain, defender Conor Coady, scored Leicester’s second goal. It was another defensive lapse of concentration for United, with Coady managing to score unmarked.
It was an enjoyable first half of free-flowing, attacking football from United. While the team may need to tighten up at the back, Van Nistelrooy’s players provided plenty of hunger and passion while really seeming to enjoy themselves on the pitch – a sight that has not been seen for quite some time.
Six minutes into the second half, the referee halted play after Manuel Ugarte suffered a head collision with Kasey McAteer. Fortunately, Ugarte was able to rise to his feet and resume the game.
A minute later, the visitors almost took advantage of United’s setback; however, Casemiro heroically cleared the ball out of danger. He also headered the ball out of the box after the subsequent corner.
In the 57th minute, Zirkzee took an opportunistic shot from outside the box that the keeper did well to save. While he scooped up the rebound, he ballooned his second effort far over the top.
Two minutes later, United struck again. Fernandes intercepted a pass back to the Leicester keeper, dribbling around him before slamming the ball into the open net from inches away. 5-2 to United.
With under 30 minutes to go, Lisandro Martinez made way for Noussair Mazraoui, while Rashford came off for Amad Diallo.
Minutes after coming on, Amad took an inventive overhead shot that flew just wide of the post. What a stunning goal that would have been had the ball been positioned slightly more to the right.
A moment later, Leicester were on the counter, with Boubakary Soumaré taking a shot from distance. Bayindir did well to tip the ball onto the crossbar, denying a third goal for the visitors.
Jonny Evans came on for Matthijs de Ligt in the 73rd minute, while Rasmus Hojlund replaced Garnacho.
Seeing Hojlund and Zirkzee playing together up front made for some interesting viewing, with Amad taking a shot that the keeper did well to grab hold of.
With nine minutes left on the clock, Casemiro picked out Fernandes in the box. While he managed to volley Casemiro’s lobbed pass, the ball flew over the top.
In the 85th minute, Ethan Wheatley came on for Zirkzee.
Mazraoui’s subsequent cross into the box was headed out, earning United a late corner. While Ugarte attempted a long shot off the short corner, his attempt was blocked.
After two minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew the final whistle. It was an impressive performance from a re-energised United. While the defence continues to pose issues, seeing Van Nistelrooy’s team enjoy themselves as they cruise into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals was a welcome sight.
Starting XI: Bayindir, Lindelof, De Ligt, Martinez, Fernandes, Rashford, Zirkzee, Garnacho, Casemiro, Dalot, Ugarte
Subs: Mazraoui, Amad, Evans, Hojlund, Wheatley
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
